Thread: box hinge instalation problems!

Hi Milo,sounds familiar, im on my 20th box and perfect fits still not gaurenteed, but have corrected most errors. as you mentioned skewed i guess the top is not square to the base and its not a case of not just 1.5mm consistent overhang. when positioning the hinges for setting with the top and base laid back to back , pack up under the top so they are on the same plane, i have a straightedge along the side of the top and base , it can be clamped and a pair of spacers to allow for perfect gap between the knuckles of the hinges, im talking about looking down on the box from above in its fully open idealposition , then use the awl or drill etc hope this helps , no doubt this advice will be improved upon, regards ,rossco

Don't beat yourself up over hinge installation. Slow down. From what I read you're doing the right things. Those self centring drill bits are great, aren't they?

When this happens to me (too often) I remove the hinge and fill the hole with a piece of bamboo skewer. These are typically 1/8 inch diameter. Trim flush with the gain then re-drill the hole for the screw.

I've tried all sorts of methods to get lids fitting just right. I put two screws in each hinge - one in the lid and one in the base and test the fit. If not "just right", remove a screw, fill the hole and re-drill the hole for the screw to correct for the rotation of the lid on the base. If okay, add another two in each hinge and test fit. And so on until all screws are in place.

Another method I've used successfully was suggested in this forum. Screw the hinge to the base and lid before the gain is cut. This allows for the hinge to be fitted such that the lid sits nicely on the base without rotation. Just a couple of screws in each hinge (one in each leaf) at the start. Once the lid is fitting okay, add remaining screws. Score around the hinge with your knife, remove the hinge and cut the recess or gain for each leaf. Depending upon the wood and the thickness of the hinge leaf, the pilot holes may need to be deepened before the hinge is installed.

Hope this helps - some ideas for your current box and your next few.

thanks for the advice chaps!

In the end the box was only out .5-1mm so I whipped out my new Veritas block plane with the handle attachment and boy oh boy does this thing rock. A few passes of the plane and some sanding and you can hardly notice the difference.

I gave it a coat of Danish oil last night and boy oh boy has she come up just awesome!

I will post a new post when I get done attaching the catch.

Cheers

Milo

Pleased to hear you resolved your little problem with the hinges. They can really frustrate you sometimes eh? I'm sure we would all love to see a pic of your box when completed. Look forward to that.

I hate bloody hinges! I have the very same problem whenever i go to fit em. & if you buy cheap ass hinges from the local hardware store they are even harder!
Glad to hear you were able to solve your issue.